Steven Colbert Lampoons Bush at White House Correspondents Dinner

Video-WMP -Must see video, hilarious; 3/4 through, there is a satire starring Helen Thomas.

"Colbert, who spoke in the guise of his talk show character, who ostensibly supports the president strongly, urged the Bush to ignore his low approval ratings, saying they were based on reality, “and reality has a well-known liberal bias."

Ignoring Colbert

"Ignoring Colbert: A Small Taste of the Media's Power to Choose the News - The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner was televised on C-Span Saturday evening. Featured entertainer Stephen Colbert delivered a biting rebuke of George W. Bush and the lily-livered press corps. He did it to Bush's face, unflinching and unbowed by the audience's muted, humorless response. Democratic Underground members commented in real time (here, here, and here). TMV posted a wrap-up. "

Colbert Shakes Up Bill Kristol on PNAC Ties

"Colbert: Speaking of thinking alike, you were a member, or are a member of the New Project for the American Century, correct?
Kristol: I am.
Colbert: Were or am, am?
Kristol: Were and am.
Colbert: How's that project coming?

Grannies for Peace Acquitted

"The defendants — including several in their 80s and 90s — had been charged with two counts of disorderly conduct in the Oct. 17, 2005, protest against the war in Iraq.'
During the trial, prosecutors said the defendants had prevented others from entering the recruiting center. They called three police officers as witnesses. All testified that the protesters refused to move."

But......,

"Officer Miguel Cruz testified that a sidewalk leading to the recruiting center was clear and unobstructed. and he did not see anyone try to enter the office."

The Prince of Evil Uses the 'Oil Crisis' to Spew More Crap Into the Environment

"President Bush on Tuesday ordered a temporary suspension of environmental rules for gasoline, making it easier for refiners to meet demand and possibly dampen prices at the pump."

Sex trafficing in America's 'New Iraq'

"No one knows how many young women have been kidnapped and sold since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. The Organization for Women's Freedom in Iraq, based in Baghdad, estimates from anecdotal evidence that more than 2,000 Iraqi women have gone missing in that period. A Western official in Baghdad who monitors the status of women in Iraq thinks that figure may be inflated but admits that sex trafficking, virtually nonexistent under Saddam, has become a serious issue. "

Afgan Schools Torched in War Against Education

"In the last six months, education has been under attack in southern and southeastern Afghanistan in an apparent attempt to erode what hope people still have in the weak central government and to panic them about their children's safety. Up to 50 schools have been set on fire, according to the country's Education Ministry. Up to 300 have shut down at some point, largely out of fear. Many parents are nervous about sending their children to school. "

Iraqi Actors Killed by New Moral Guardians in Iraq

"Faud Radi and Haidar Jawad, Iraqi children's entertainers, were executed by armed militias -- the new moral guardians of Baghdad.
The two actors were part of the Happy Family Team, a troupe seen on television and adored by millions of children, the Times of London reported. Their troupe was part of an 11-day festival intended to help youngsters forget Baghdad's curfews, bombings and the dangers of daily life. "

Video: Randi Rhodes on CNN w Paula Zahn: Windows Real

Lawyer: Rice Allegedly Leaked defense Info

"ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice leaked national defense information to a pro-Israel lobbyist in the same manner that landed a lower-level Pentagon official a 12-year prison sentence, the lobbyist's lawyer said Friday."

Wallstreet Journal Slams Medicare D

"With the May 15 enrollment deadline for the new Medicare prescription-drug benefit approaching, private insurers and the government are making a last-ditch push to sign people up and declare the venture a success. Already, though, the massive effort has produced clear winners and losers among businesses and seniors."

Whitehouse Tied to Elections Violations in New Hampshire

"Besides the conviction of Tobin, the Republicans' New England regional director, prosecutors negotiated two plea bargains: one with a New Hampshire Republican Party official and another with the owner of a telemarketing firm involved in the scheme. The owner of the subcontractor firm whose employees made the hang-up calls is under indictment.

The phone records show that most calls to the White House were from Tobin, who became
President Bush's presidential campaign chairman for the New England region in 2004. Other calls from New Hampshire senatorial campaign offices to the White House could have been made by a number of people."

Re CA 50 : Heartbreaking Email from a Political Friend(Uptown Democratic Club VP)

"See, the Republicans know how to run a rough race when they know they'll need more time to brainwash the voters: they run SEVERAL candidates in the Primary (unlike the race for Ron Roberts where it's going to come down to one "Democrat" and one "Republican"). The GOP's playbook says to split the vote, which is what the Datamar survey shows, so that Francine can't get 50+% to have a straight win. Now, it's a slog on to November, we have Diebold making housecalls to all counties (including San Diego County) that use their machines "updating" them with new code, and Mr. Roach who has a personal fortune of $200m which he says he'll spend it all to win the 50th CD.

Who wants to bet the farm?"

California Condors Nest In Big Sur For the First Time In A Century!

"The California condor is an Endangered Species Act success story. In the 1980s, just 22 were left on Earth. Fortunately, an aggressive recovery program developed under the act is bringing this endangered species back to life. An estimated 276 birds now live in captivity and in the wild in central and southern California, Arizona, and Baja California. (The two now nesting in Big Sur are captive-raised birds released a few years apart in the 1990s). "

The beautiful photo is courtesy of Go Solar, a company that provides surveillance equipment for monitoring the condors in their sanctuaries.

Larger & Better Statistical Study Suggests that Prayer May Impede Recovery

But....."Many theologians say that, even if you believe in the power of intercessory prayer, such a trial is doomed to failure because it "puts God to the test" - and there are clear instructions in the Bible not to do this. "

CA 50: NRCC Just Dumped Over $360,000.00 for Ads This Week

"Public information, but not online: NRCC just bought $360,665 worth of ads in the district. 925 points, meaning the average targeted voter will see their ad 9-10 times before election day."


Are Repubs desperate? Fight Francine Fight!!!!



More Republican Embarrassments:

Tom Delay Quits...

"The decision came just three days after his former deputy chief of staff, Tony C. Rudy, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and corruption charges, telling federal prosecutors of a criminal enterprise being run out of DeLay's leadership offices."

Republican Candidate For State Legislature Is Montana's Contact Point for "America's Nazi Party"

"Butte’s Republican candidate for the state Legislature ended up admitting Friday that he is Montana’s contact point for the National Socialist Movement, described as “America’s Nazi Party” on its Web site."

OH Sec of State, Kenneth Blackwell Held Shares in Diebold

"COLUMBUS, Ohio - Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell revealed Monday he accidentally invested in shares of voting-machine manufacturer Diebold Inc. last year, a period when he was sued by other manufacturers over contracts that Diebold was up for."

CA 50: Fake Image Posted on Kaloogian's Website Alledging A Visit to Downtown Baghdad

From Harpers: